Tempranillo is a thick skinned black grape variety native to Spain where it is widely grown to make full bodied wines. Tempranillo wines are ruby in colour with aromas and flavours of berries, plum, tobacco, vanilla, leather and herb. Often making up as much as 90% of a blend, Tempranillo is less frequently bottled as a single varietal. Tempranillo is the major component of the typical Rioja blends and constitutes 90-100% of Ribera del Duero wines. In Australia, Tempranillo is blended with Grenache and Syrah. In Portugal, where it is known as Tinta Roriz, it is a major grape in the production of some Port wines. Tempranillo wines are food friendly wine matching various Spanish, Mexican & Mediterranean dishes. Pair it with tapas, enchiladas, ham croquettes, mousakka and grilled or roasted meats like lamb, pork, and venison.